A busy mother has fulfilled a life-long dream by publishing her first book, in conjunction with her eldest daughter.

Samantha Dann released her debut story Madder's World last week, with 17-year-old Avril Dann who designed the cover and inside illustrations.

The pair worked together to bring the characters to life, and will now embark on a tour of schools in Norfolk and Suffolk which will also help to raise money for charity.

Mrs Dann, 44, of Harleston Road, Rushall, said she had drawn on the death of her grandmother, who died of cancer when she was young, as motivation for some of the book. For each school the pair visits, they will donate £10 to Cancer Research UK.

'I'm chuffed to bits with the book,' Mrs Dann said. 'I got the idea a few years ago and built it up and added to it and people started to read it and say it was quite good and that I should go for it.

'It's a personal achievement and it's lovely to work with Avril – it's an amazing journey we're about to go on.'

The book, which Mrs Dann has self-published and is available on Amazon, is targeted at readers between eight and 12 and tells the tale of 14-year-old Wilmot Madder who, on the 10th anniversary of his father's death, discovers a secret cellar in his house.

Following the release of a strange creature called Frank, hibernating inside a tatty old suitcase, Wilmot is thrown into a mysterious new world.

Avril's illustrations, which include the front and inside covers as well as 10 of the characters, have been incorporated into her A-level art coursework at Diss High School.

'We've been working together to produce my mum's ideas,' she said. 'I asked for a description and started by making Wilmot older and worked down to make him younger.

'I showed her a picture and she was really happy with it.

'The front cover was my favourite scene from the book and I could really picture it in my mind – I thought it would be quite intriguing for someone who saw the book.

'It was really fun because all the characters are different from one another. I loved working together.'

To contact Mrs Dann about a school visit, email scdann30@gmail.com